In Part 2 of this series, Joumana Kidd shares her experience of being deceived by a con artist posing as an “executive assistant”.  She discusses how she initially sought support and assistance during a difficult time in her life. Joumana describes how she developed trust with the culprit, as they attempted to relate to her and created a perception of genuine friendship. Joumana was eventually deceived into signing documents that gave the con artist access to her life and finances. She discovered the fraud when her financial advisor noticed unusual spending patterns. The investigation into the fraud was complex and required Joumana to advocate for herself, while navigating conversations with law enforcement and fraud investigators. Throughout the conversation, Joumana emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding when dealing with victims of fraud and other traumatic experiences.

•Trust your instincts and conduct thorough background checks before hiring someone.

•Maintain control over your personal and financial information and be vigilant about monitoring your accounts.

•Advocate for yourself and be persistent when dealing with law enforcement and financial institutions.

•Practice empathy and understanding when interacting with victims of fraud and other traumatic experiences.

•Understand that a victim’s and investigators urgency may be on different perceived timelines.